Hurricanes quash conspiracy theory
Nothing to see here, insisted the Hurricanes as they flew to Sydney without their blockbusting France-bound midfielder Ngani Laumape for tomorrow’s Super Rugby TransTasman opener.
A day after Laumape’s $1 million-plus deal with Stade Francais was announced, the
15-test All Black’s name was missing from the
23 to face the Waratahs at the Sydney Cricket Ground (9.45pm, NZT).
With no injury or illness to speak of, and having shown some of his best form in recent weeks, there was natural curiosity as to whether Laumape’s departure to France after SRTT was a factor.
Not so, said coach Jason Holland at a storm-doused Wellington
Airport yesterday as he confirmed Peter UmagaJensen and Billy Proctor as his new midfield duo amid a strategy to refresh some of their frontliners after a last-placed 2-6 Aotearoa campaign.
‘‘Nothing to do with it. We’ve always had a bit of a plan in place to make sure we get some new guys some game time. I thought you guys might see a bit of a conspiracy theory around that, but unfortunately there’s no story in it,’’ Holland said.
Umaga-Jensen for Laumape was one of three changes to the starting 15 who beat the Highlanders 41-22 nearly a fortnight ago. Tighthead prop Alex Fidow (for Tyrel Lomax) and lock Isaia Walker-Leawere (for Scott Scrafton) were the others, among Holland’s usual minor tweaks, with Ruben Love again in the driver’s seat at first-five.
Laumape, instead, was the opposition at training yesterday, then farewelled his teammates until Monday when Holland says he’ll be back to prepare for the Rebels.
Frustration with a lack of consistent All Blacks opportunities, and an offer understood to be three times his NZ Rugby salary, essentially sealed the deal for Laumape, 28, who has four Hurricanes matches left before heading to Paris with his partner and young family on a three-year deal.
Said Holland: ‘‘He’s been unlucky [with the All Blacks], there’s no doubt about that. It just depends on what you think is important for a 12 these days and that changes from team to team.
‘‘Ngans has always been desperate to be an All Black and he’s worked so hard over the last 4-5 years to improve his game. That’s just the way it is, and the All Blacks are a tough team to make.
‘‘That’s life, and I know Ngans and Mavis have agonised over the decision to leave and do so with a little bit of ‘what-if’ hanging over them. Sometimes in life you’ve got to make those decisions and I respect everything that they’ve been through to make that decision.’’
For all that, Holland and his Hurricanes had a noticeable spring in their steps as they boarded their first overseas flight since January 2020 when they jetted to Cape Town to face the Stormers.
The Hurricanes haven’t faced the Waratahs since February 2019, when they snuck a 20-19 victory at Manly’s Brookvale Oval. Both sides finished at the foot of their respective competitions, but the Waratahs’ 0-8 season has the Hurricanes installed as overwhelming favourites after narrow losses to the Crusaders and Chiefs, then a welcome blowout against the Highlanders.
‘‘We had a couple of days together last week where we did reset, and we looked at what was important and what little bits of our game we wanted to leave behind and what we take forward.
‘‘We’ve had a good week. We’ve obviously got to back it up with actions but the boys are invigorated and ready to go.
‘‘We’ve got lots of confidence but we’re aware that we’ve got a little bit to prove around making sure we understand how to win games, and doing the right thing for longer.’’